Legal 500 : A Guide For Law Firms

Legal directories are a cornerstone of how law firms build reputation and win work. But with several major players in the market, what makes the Legal 500 different and why should your firm submit to it?

Below is a quick overview on what you need to know about this influential global player.

What is The Legal 500?

The Legal 500 is an international legal rankings and directory platform. Established in 1987, it now covers more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide, offering an annual, rigorous, and independent review of law firms and lawyers.

The platform operates through two core offerings: its editorial rankings and its directory profiles.

• Editorial Rankings: This is the most widely recognised element. An independent research team ranks law firms by practice area and jurisdiction, drawing on firm submissions, feedback from client referees, and extensive market research.
• Directory Profiles: This section consists of paid listings, where firms supply and approve their own profiles. These provide more in-depth details about service offerings, key partners, and selected client testimonials. Crucially, participation in the paid directory has no impact on a firm’s position within the independently researched editorial rankings.

Why should your firm submit to The Legal 500?

There are several compelling reasons for firms to engage with the Legal 500’s research process.

Boost Your Visibility In a busy legal market, a ranking can significantly enhance a firm’s profile among in-house counsel, potential clients, and market peers. With rankings spanning over 100 jurisdictions, The Legal 500’s global reach enables firms to gain recognition on an international scale.

Win More Work Clients frequently consult third-party research like The Legal 500 when deciding which firm to choose. An independent ranking helps differentiate between firms, showcasing who has the leading expertise in a practice area. It acts as independent verification of a firm and its lawyers' skills.

Support Your Marketing and Recruitment A Legal 500 ranking is powerful fuel for other marketing activities. Firms regularly reference their rankings in press releases, on social media, and across their website content to reinforce their market standing. It also signals to top-tier recruits that your firm is a leader in its field.

How does the editorial research work?

The editorial research is built around two core elements: firm submissions and client feedback.

1. Firm  Submissions: These provide the research team with detailed information on practice area expertise, examples of notable work (both publishable and confidential), team structure, and strategic developments over the previous year. Researchers also conduct interviews with practice area specialists and managing partners to gain a clear picture of the firm’s strategy and direction.
2. Client  and Market Feedback: The Legal 500 conducts an extensive annual outreach period, contacting approximately 300,000 clients to provide feedback on the lawyers they instruct.

What is The Legal 500 looking for in a submission?

The research team considers a range of factors when reviewing a firm’s performance, with a primary focus on the team's breath of expertise and bench strength and the consistency of quality across its lawyers. According to the Legal 500, key areas include:

• Very strong technical ability to handle the most complex and innovative work.
• A roster of the most prestigious clients.
• Individuals with the contacts and credibility at top clients.
• In-depth capability that extends beyond star partners.
• The capacity to handle the biggest transactions or cases.
• Demonstrable market share and a historical track record on top deals.
• Clear investment for the future in a particular practice area.
• Progress made in acquiring new clients and market share.
• Strength in associated practice areas.
• A reputation for handling complex, innovative work.
• Commitment to using IT to improve client services and overall market perception.

Summary

The Legal 500 is a globally recognised and respected legal rankings platform. By combining firm submissions with client and market feedback, it assesses firms and individual lawyers’ capabilities across a vast range of practice areas. The platform serves as both a benchmarking tool for firms to track their consistency and growth, and a practical guide for potential clients seeking independent, third-party research.

Want to learn more about crafting a strong Legal 500 submission or growing your firm's rankings? Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can help you navigate the research process and achieve your goals.

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